Jan. 18, 2011 - For the fourteenth straight month, containerboard production rose over the same month a year ago, according to the American Forest & Paper Association's December 2010 U.S. Containerboard Statistics Report.

Total containerboard production saw an increase of 40,300 tons or 1.5% when compared to December 2009. Production rose compared to November 2010, however, the month over month average daily production was down by 2.4%. Year-end 2010 production has increased 7.1% over 2009, AF&PA said.

The containerboard operating rate for December 2010 was up 3.7 points over December 2009 to 92.6%.

Additional key findings from the report show Linerboard production continued to increase over same month last year and Medium production also increased over last year.